HomeSt. Francis Xavier Church is a Catholic parish located in East Providence, Rhode Island. Founded in 1915 under the guidance of Rev. Fr. Joseph Lopes, the parish was established to serve the growing Portuguese-speaking community, a need recognized by Most Reverend Matthew Harkins, Bishop of Providence. The church was dedicated on May 21, 1916, and has maintained its commitment to Portuguese and spiritual traditions, emphasizing missionary zeal in its mission statement: "We at St. Francis Xavier Church strive to be faithful to the Lord’s teachings and to the Roman Catholic tradition through liturgy, education, and service." The parish also offers a variety of ministries, including Religious Education for both children and adults, along with active prayer groups and a youth group.
